Gary Benfield retires after 10 years

Gary joined our team in May 2006 before becoming MD shortly after. During his time here, Gary has enjoyed a great deal of success.

Gary’s leadership approach at Sandicliffe Motor Contracts has been refreshingly hands-on, leading by example and getting involved in the day-to-day running of our business.

Gary has been instrumental in growing our business, not only in terms of fleet size, but in developing our range of services to become the all-encompassing fleet services provider we are today. Gary has also enjoyed recent success in overseeing our new head office extension project last year.

When reflecting on the past decade, Gary said:

“It has been a great privilege to be a part of Sandicliffe Motor Contracts’ journey.

Working closely with the Sandicliffe Motor Contracts’ team, the Sandicliffe dealer group and the board of directors, I have been given the trust to move the business forward.

This level of investment and support has enabled me to look back and at my time at Sandicliffe Motor Contracts with a great deal of job satisfaction and pride.

The decision to retire wasn’t altogether an easy one, and I’m sure to miss the daily hustle and bustle of the office, but I am looking forward to this next stage in my life.”

Already planning ahead, we have appointed our new managing director, Alastair Houston.

Alastair’s experience within the automotive sector spans almost thirty years dating back to when he started his career with Ryder Truck Rental 28 years ago.

Most recently, Alastair joins the team from the van rental specialists, Northgate.

During his twenty-year tenure at Northgate, Alastair held a number of roles that included sales director and managing director positions of Northgate subsidiary companies, prior to joining the UK board as business transformation director.

With a few weeks in the business already under his belt, Alastair looks forward to what he expects will be a very busy few years ahead.

“I have joined Sandicliffe Motor Contacts at an exciting time,” commented Alastair.

“The business is in great shape and the legacy in which Gary is leaving behind means I have a fantastic foundation to build and develop upon.

“Not only working with such an experienced and knowledgeable team, but with some ambitious projects already taking shape, I can concentrate on making sure, as a business, we plan effectively and deliver our longer term objectives.”

Ian Middleton who founded Sandicliffe Motor Contracts in 1983 and appointed Gary as managing director also commented: “I’m really looking forward to working with Alastair. He has a wealth of experience that makes him the right person for the job.

“We will certainly miss Gary but we have every confidence in Alastair to lead the business through, what we recognise will be a very important period for the business, to ultimately deliver more for those who matter most: our people and our customers.”

Ian was recently appointed non-executive chairman.

Together, Sandicliffe Motor Contracts would like to take this opportunity to thank Gary for all his hard work and dedication, and wish him all the best for the future.

Take a look at some of the photos from Gary’s Retirement Party below: